Fact Check: Sunita Williams says space life brought her closer to Islam? No, find the truth here

The first three paragraphs of the viral message in Malayalam read: “Sunita Williams went to space for a one-week mission but ended up staying there for nine months. Upon returning, she made statements to the press that have now become a global topic of discussion.”

Her alleged statement reads, “I feel that getting stuck in space happened by God’s will. After 20 days, I felt as if I was facing death. Our stored food and water were running out, and I was worried about how to survive. That’s when I remembered the fasting of Muslims during Ramadan. From that day, I started eating and drinking a little in the evening and again in the morning. After a month, I felt healthier and more energetic. I realised I could survive a little longer.”

While waiting for death, one day, I decided to read the Bible. Since I had read it many times before, I got bored after just one page. That’s when I thought of reading the Quran (now I feel as if some power made me think that way). I downloaded the English translation and started reading. After reading 10–15 pages, I was amazed. The Quran’s descriptions of embryology, deep oceans and the skies were incredible. I felt that I needed to tell the world about it.”

Read the alleged statement in full on Facebook here.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The astronaut has not made any statement to the press after her return, and the BBC or any other media outlet has not published any such report.

We conducted a relevant keyword search on Williams and her speaking about Islam during her extended space mission but found no BBC report. However, we did come across a BBC live coverage of their landing titled ‘Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams Return to Earth After Nine Unplanned Months in Space.’

The coverage concluded with a NASA and SpaceX news conference following the successful splashdown of SpaceX Crew-9 off the coast of Florida. It noted that the astronauts did not attend the news conference, but NASA officials confirmed they were in good health. However, they added that it would take some time for them to readjust to gravity, and both astronauts were undergoing medical evaluations before reuniting with their families.

In another report published by the BBC on March 19, the media outlet noted that during interviews while onboard, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stated they were well-prepared for their extended stay in space. However, they also shared what they were most looking forward to upon returning home.

Speaking to CBS last month from space, Suni Williams said, “I’m looking forward to seeing my family, my dogs and jumping in the ocean. That will be really nice—to be back on Earth and feel Earth.”

The report also quoted Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, who stated at a news conference, “The crew’s doing great.” He added that they would soon be transported to the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, where medical experts would conduct further evaluations.

Long-duration space missions significantly damage the human body. Astronauts experience bone density loss, muscle deterioration and changes in blood circulation, which can also affect eyesight due to fluid shifts.

Since it takes time for the body to readjust to normal conditions, the crew will follow an extensive exercise regimen to help them adapt to living with gravity again. However, we found no mention of Sunita Williams stating that she read the Quran daily or was inspired by Ramadan fasting to eat and drink less in space.

According to multiple media reports (links here and here), Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will spend the next 45 days undergoing rehabilitation at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston.

Therefore, we conclude that the claim of Sunita Williams speaking to the press after returning to Earth and developing an interest in Islam during her stay in space is false.